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The cornerstone was laid in 1994 and the operation of the building began two years later. Havel contacted his neighbor from the house next door, a renowned Yugoslav-born architect called Vlado Milunić. His design already involved the idea of leaning the building out over the crossroads.
Prague:
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The concrete tower, on the other hand, was constructed using traditional concrete pouring techniques. We are still currently renting out space to local companies, teachers, and independent contractors; the current rental rate for dance rehearsals is $20/hr for regular renters, $25/hr for one time renters, $35-$85/hr for events, and more! The building is located in an area that mostly has Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau structures.
Location of the Frank Gehry Dancing House in Prague & How to Get There
And across the street from there, the superb Art Deco Café Slavia is one of the best cafes in Prague to visit, whether it’s for a meal or coffee and cake. We also suggest taking a short walk along Masarykovo nábřeží, the riverside street lined with some of the most handsome Prague Art Nouveau mansions. If you have kids with you, take a walk onto Slovansky ostrov – Slavonic Island – where there’s a great playground with more wonderful views. The number 17 tram, which along the Vltava river for much of its route, stops there, as does the number 5 tram which runs from Smichov, across the river, to Wenceslas Square and Prague main train station. At first Gehry called the building ‘Fred and Ginger’, after the famous dancing couple Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, but he preferred for this name not to be used for fear of it being too gimmicky.
Dancing House Architecture
When you alight the train, head for the Karlovo náměstí exit from the platform, then look for the sign to Resslova. It has a prime riverside location on the corner of Rašínovo nábřeží and Resslova, and overlooks the Jirásek Bridge (Jiráskův most) over the Vltava River. It is also across the street from Jiráskovo náměstí, a small square with a statue of Czech author Alois Jirásek. The main reason to visit the bar is the amazing view from the terrace, which you can enjoy for the price of a Pilsner Urquell beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail.
Once you buy a drink or have a ticket for the art gallery exhibition, you can come up to the top of the building to admire the views from the top. The art gallery hosts regular exhibitions, which are usually very thought-provoking, slightly shocking or on a topic that’s often taboo. A bit different from the regular type of gallery, so if you see something you like, it’s worth a visit. The Dancing House is a must-see not only because of its unique view over the Vltava River and Prague Castle but also because it is an identifiable gem of postmodern architecture in Prague. What makes the Dancing House in Prague exciting is its perspective-warping shape. Its two towers — one glass and the other rock — look like giant sculptures.
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The Dancing House became a symbol of Prague’s transformation and its embrace of modernity and innovation. The Dancing House’s location on the banks of the Vltava River also contributes to its impact on Prague’s skyline. The building’s reflection in the water creates a stunning visual effect, further enhancing its presence in the city. The Dancing House has become an iconic landmark in Prague and a symbol of the city’s modern architecture. However on the top level there is a restaurant with panoramic views of the city, the Moldava river and the nearby castle.
The story of the Dancing house reaches back to the end of World War II, when the previous building standing on the site was destroyed during the bombing of Prague by the Allies. During the Communist era (1948 – 1989), nothing was built there, and it was only after the “Velvet revolution” when Václav Havel came with a vision. The drinks are quite pricey, expect to pay 95 KCZ for beer or speciality coffee and about 80 KCZ for soft drinks and regular coffee. Cocktails, wine and other alcohol start from 160 KCZ, which is much higher than the average prices for drinks in Prague. The Dancing House is closest to the ‘Jiraskovo Namesti’ stop, but you can also come back from ‘Palackeho Namesti’ stop. The centre and Charles Bridge is too far to see, so if you are after a view of the centre you’d be better off climbing up to the Old Town Square Hall Tower or the Gun Powder Tower closer to the historic centre.
The Dancing House is also only 4 stops (7 minutes) from Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) on the number 5 tram. The Dancing House is located in New Town Prague (Nové Město), a few minutes’ walk south of the Old Town (Staré Město). You can walk past the lobby and reception to the lift to the seventh floor and the Ginger and Fred Restaurant. The Dancing House is said to have been inspired by the Velvet Revolution.
By tram or bus
A resident of the building next door, dissident playwright Václav Havel, had discussions with Czech-Croatian architect Vlado Milunic about a future use for the site, including a possible cultural centre. On the 7th floor of the Dancing House, there is a luxury restaurant Ginger and Fred. Chef’s specialties can be enjoyed in the stylish interior along with the beautiful view. The menu and restaurant contact can be found at the Ginger & Fred Restaurant website. The original building was destroyed during World War II., due to the mistake of the American Air Force (they wanted to attack Dresden in Germany, but they got wrong and bombed Prague instead). V. Milunić expected that the building should be leaning over the street – as a symbol of movements in Czech society again after the end of the communistic regime.
With the help of its local representative and Milunić’s acquaintance, Pavel Koch, the Company Nationale Nederlanden (now known as ING Group) acquired the property and became a sponsor for the project. His plan was to construct an iconic structure in Prague to serve as their headquarters. Moreover, plans for the cultural center were scrapped and replaced with commercial concerns. Ultimately, Vlado Milunić recruited Frank Gehry to co-lead the endeavor — and the rest, as they say, is history.
One of them is the Prague Dancing House, a highly original building resembling and also inspired by two dancers – the immortally famous duo of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. There is also a children playground and of course the famous Manes art gallery and restaurant. If you don’t want to visit the inside of the Dancing House or you are not that fond of modern architecture, there is still plenty to see and do around the Dancing House. 10 minutes – to walk by and take few photos – best time for photos is probably late afternoon or evening if it’s very sunny (as the sun will be shining on the building).
What public transportation options drop you near the Frank Gehry House? By metro, take the B line to Karlovo Náměstí Station; Fred and Ginger is about a three-minute walk from there. By tram, hop on the 17 and get off at Jiráskovo náměstí; the Dancing building is about 290 feet away from the stop. Alternatively, you can take a 907 city bus and alight at the Karlovo náměstí terminal, which is about four minutes away from the destination. It’s a lovely 20-minute walk from Old Town to the Dancing House by Frank Gehry.
This is a must for all architecture fans but nothing special for a regular tourist. Still worth a visit as a look from the outside won't cost you anything. Nowadays, the Dancing House is considered one of the most valuable postmodern buildings in Prague and an important part of the Czech capital’s architecture, but there were times when it sparked a lot of controversy. The opponents of the building were convinced that the Dancing House would not fit into its surroundings, since most of the buildings in its neighbourhood are in the Art Noveau style.
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